Dr. John Pelizzari 

August 25, 1963 - August 19, 2026

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” - John 1:6

Dr. John Pelizzari, 62, of Temple, Texas, went to be with the Lord on the morning of August 19, 2026, just six days before his 63rd birthday.

John was born August 25, 1963, in Wiesbaden, Germany, to George Pelizzari and Brigetta Bürner. He lived a life defined by faith, family, laughter, strength, compassion, and an unwavering desire for people to know Jesus.

John began serving God in 1982. In 1993, he founded Agape Christian Center in Belton, Texas, a church whose name reflected the message at the very heart of his ministry: God's unconditional love. For 33 years, he faithfully served as its founder and senior pastor, teacher, leader, and spiritual father.

John often said that he considered himself a teacher more than a pastor. He had an extraordinary knowledge of Scripture and a gift for making the Word of God understandable. People knew they could bring him their hardest questions. John usually had an answer, and if he didn't, he would simply say, “Let me get back to you.” Then he would search the Word until he found it.

He spent countless hours studying Scripture, teaching and training believers, counseling families, performing marriages, baptizing believers, mentoring leaders, and leading people to salvation. When John preached, he told the truth and did not sugar-coat it. He was a God-pleaser, not a man-pleaser, and what mattered most to him was being obedient to God and faithful to His Word.

His mission was simple and unmistakable:

“Load heaven and unload hell.”

John devoted more than four decades of his life to serving God. He became a Certified Teacher in Theology through Calvary Bible Institute, earned a Bachelor's degree from Calvary Theological Seminary, and later received his Doctorate from Southwestern Christian University. He also completed extensive training and certifications in faith-based counseling, clinical counseling, and pastoral care.

His ministry reached far beyond the pulpit at Agape. John founded Called and Chosen International, a fellowship created to bring churches and ministries together for the cause of Christ. He traveled to Africa on two mission trips and devoted himself to developing ministers and helping others discover and walk in their God-given gifts and callings.

John was also a prolific writer and teacher. He authored numerous books and created an extensive collection of sermon notes, messages, and in-depth Bible studies. He did not simply want people to hear the Word. He wanted them to understand it, live it, and be equipped to share it with others.

John lived what he preached in every area of his life. He served his community for five years as an EMT and firefighter with the City of Copperas Cove and also worked as a behavioral health technician, handyman, and served as a youth pastor. People knew the kind of man John was. He was a man of God.

Agape Christian Center was not simply the church John pastored. It was his second home. If the doors were open, John wanted to be there. He loved his congregation, whom he affectionately called “his sheep,” and carried a deep sense of responsibility to teach them, protect them, encourage them, and continually point them toward Christ.

John was highly intelligent, a deep thinker, strong-willed, and a warrior and fighter to his core. He was also incredibly funny. His sharp wit, quick comebacks, booming voice, playful sense of humor, funny noises, and ability to make almost anyone laugh were unmistakably John Pelizzari.

He loved studying God's Word and worshiping God. He enjoyed collecting guns, swords, weapons, and memorabilia, playing video games, reading comic books, and exploring subjects that fascinated his endlessly curious mind, especially ancient history, aliens, and the mysteries of the unknown.

John married Karen in 1992, and throughout their years together, there was never any question about how much he loved his wife. He called her “his bride,” “the woman of his dreams,” and, most notably, “Sug.” He bragged about her often, admired her strength, and never stopped seeing her as the most beautiful woman in the world. She was his partner in life and ministry, his pride and joy, and the woman he was proud to call his wife.

Karen knew every side of John. She stood beside a man who was strong-willed, passionate, driven, and unmistakably himself, and she loved him through it all. John knew the strength it took to walk beside him, and he deeply valued the woman who did. Together they built a life, raised a family, weathered life's hardest seasons, and spent decades serving God side by side. Karen served alongside John as a pastor of Agape Christian Center, ministering to those in prison, and founded Agape Bible College.

John loved his wife and children fiercely. He was a devoted and protective husband and an incredibly proud and loving father. He was their provider, protector, teacher, encourager, and a source of wisdom they could turn to throughout their lives.

John considered his children one of his greatest accomplishments. He wanted them to go farther and do better than he did. He poured into his boys what he had learned about faith, responsibility, loyalty, marriage, and fatherhood, and he took tremendous pride in seeing them become loving husbands and tremendous fathers themselves. Above all, he wanted his children to know God, walk by faith, love their families well, and become everything God had called them to be.

He is survived by his sons Jason Pelizzari and wife Harmony and Josh Pelizzari and wife Courtney; stepson Zech Young and wife Bobbie Jo; and stepson John-Michael Chunn.

John's love and pride extended deeply to his grandchildren. He treasured being their grandfather and wanted each of them to grow into people of character. He taught them the importance of good manners, gratitude, respect, and appreciating what they had. Most of all, he wanted each of them to know how deeply they were loved. He leaves behind 16 beloved grandchildren: Hailey, Lili, Valen, Dekotah, Sydney, Sadie, Ezra, Emma, Christian, Evan, Ireland, Novaleigh, Ryan, Isabella, Kaleb, and Dakota.

But John's family could never be measured by a family tree alone.

Through more than three decades of ministry, countless people came to know him simply as “Dad.” He became a spiritual father to many, offering wisdom, correction, encouragement, and love and helping them grow in their faith and calling.

John also knew the importance of having spiritual parents of his own. Don and Jan Shelton held a treasured place in his life as his spiritual father and mother. Their love, guidance, wisdom, and faith helped shape the man and minister John became, and the bond he shared with them remained deeply meaningful throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Pelizzari and Brigetta Bürner; his sister, Regina Pelizzari; and many beloved spiritual brothers and sisters who went home before him.

John gave much of himself throughout his life. He sacrificed his time, his energy, and often his own comfort for his family, his sheep, and the calling God had placed on his life. His service was not simply something he did. It was the way he chose to live. He poured himself into teaching, protecting, providing, encouraging, and preparing others to carry on the work long after him.

Throughout his life and ministry, John often spoke of what he hoped to hear when his own journey on earth was complete. More than recognition, titles, accomplishments, or the approval of people, he wanted to stand before his Lord and hear the words of Matthew 25:23:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Those words mattered deeply to John because his life was ultimately about being faithful to the One he served.

If Pastor John could speak to us today, he would not want the attention to remain on him. He would point us to Jesus. He would want every person to know that it is not too late and you are not too far gone. Forgive. Make things right with those who have hurt you. Do not allow bitterness, pride, anger, or the past to keep you from eternity with God. Come home to Jesus while there is still time.

John spent his life trying to “load heaven and unload hell,” and there could be no greater way to honor his life, message, and legacy than for one more person to choose Jesus.

If you do not know Jesus, or if you have walked away from Him, you do not need perfect words. You simply need a willing heart. You can pray:

Jesus, I need You. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins, and that You rose again. Forgive me for my sins and for the life I have lived apart from You. I give You my heart and my life. Help me forgive those I need to forgive, make right what I can make right, and leave behind the things that have kept me from You. I choose to follow You. Teach me to know You, trust You, and live for You from this day forward. Thank You for loving me, forgiving me, and saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If John could leave you with one final message, perhaps it would be the simplest and most important message of all:

You are so loved. Now get busy for the King and the Kingdom!

Keep the faith, carry on the work, and I'll see you again.

Lovingly written by his daughter-in-law, Harmony Pelizzari

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life service honoring Dr. John Pelizzari will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Agape Christian Center, 321 N. Penelope St., Belton, Texas 76513. A meal and time of fellowship will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of traditional cut flowers, the family welcomes living plants or plantable flowers that can continue to grow in John's memory. Those wishing to honor John's life, message, and legacy may also make a memorial contribution to Crotty Funeral home towards the funeral expenses.